Friendly Smile Greets Hospital Visitors

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

DELAND -- Polly Patelsky worked her entire life to pay bills. Now, she has the luxury of working to help her community.

Patelsky tried retirement for a month and found that she wasn't the type to stay home. She has logged nearly 11,000 volunteer hours during the past 19 years at Florida Hospital DeLand.

The 79-year-old greets visitors at the information desk, delivers mail and flowers to patients and serves as the corresponding secretary of the hospital's auxiliary. She also has worked at The Pinkie Resale Shop, which raises funds for the auxiliary.

Patelsky retired in 1987 from her job as a secretary at Stetson University in DeLand.

The great-grandmother spent a month after her retirement getting her house in order, then decided she didn't like having idle time. She followed a friend's suggestion to volunteer at the hospital.

"Now I have something to look forward to every day," said Patelsky, one of more than 200 volunteers who work at Florida Hospital DeLand. "This job is so fulfilling because I feel like I'm making a difference and helping people."

Although some patients can become grouchy when they are sick, Patelsky said most are happy to have someone take an interest in them and care for their needs.

She wears four medals that honor her hours of service and dedication. She said she enjoys the quarterly luncheons that honor volunteers and the free lunch the hospital provides for volunteers who work a four-hour shift.

Stacey Leone, public relations manager, said volunteers like Patelsky play a vital role at the hospital.

"When our patients walk in the door, our volunteers are the first people they encounter," Leone said. "They represent the face and image of our hospital."

The Florida Hospital Auxiliary has a variety of jobs that allow volunteers to use their talents and skills to serve the community. The positions include working in the BirthCare Center, in public relations, driving the courtesy shuttle and helping deliver gifts to patients.